Missing Radioactive Devices

[Christina]

Missing Radioactive Devices in Canada Usable by Terrorists Monday, July 9, 2007 At least 76 radioactive devices—some of which could be used as a terrorist weapon—have gone missing in Canada over the past five years, reports the Edmonton Sun.The Canadian Press compiled a database to show the rate at which widely used radioactive devices disappear. It found 35 were stolen by thieves, and three others were found in a roadside ditch, a garbage landfill and a farmer’s field. Thirty-two gauges, medical tools and other radioactive devices are still missing.This information comes out as anti-terrorism experts warn that even low-level radioactive material can be built into crude radioactive explosives, otherwise known as dirty bombs.Radiation safety experts say the missing radioactive devices pose a serious security risk. A dirty bomb can release radiation up to several miles depending on wind speeds and materials used, forcing evacuations and causing chaos. A study conducted by the Canadian government estimated that an explosion near the CN tower in Toronto could cost up to $23.5 billion.In a study released last year, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said it is “quite surprising” terrorists haven’t already set off dirty bombs, and that Canada was “positively overdue” for an attack.However, Canada is not the only country struggling to keep its radiological equipment secure. The International Atomic Energy Agency found that between 1993 and 2005, member states (including the United States) confirmed more than 827 incidents of illegal acquisition, possession, and transfer or disposal of nuclear and other radioactive materials. This is most likely a conservative estimate, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which has found more than 1,300 cases of radioactive sources lost or abandoned in the U.S. since 1998 alone.Charles Ferguson, research leader on radiological threats and member of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, believes “it could be just a matter of time” before terrorists use dirty bombs. Just last September, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, the now dead leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, called for scientists to build radioactive and biological weapons to use in terrorist attacks against American bases.Readily accessible radioactive materials used by terrorists in America may be the next challenge in the war against terrorism.

 

[tim_from_pa]

Although radiation is bad, I'm not so concerned about that as much as the impact on the economy. If a dirty bomb were to explode, there would be a few instant casualties from the conventional explosive. Then there may be some more radiation sickness (and long term cancers). But most people would probably get away. But where would a thing like this go off? Probably in a crowded city in a business/industrial setting where the economy would suffer.The mass hysteria caused would be worse than the deaths IMO and things would start to tumble. I partly blame the loss of my good-paying job a few years back on 911 (or, I should say that's an excuse for the economy to suffer), not to mention besides the massive casualties where whole businesses were wiped out. If America is to fall (c.f. Jeremiah 30:7) for a season, I think that this is the way it will happen---- from the inside caused by such hysteria. The enemy wishes to psychologically weaken us.Then again, this is the end times coming. The Lord warned us of such things. We are hated for His name's sake.